iNSIGHT:
INTELLIGENT ENCAPSULATION & SCREENING PLATFORM FOR PRECISION DELIVERY OF PROBIOTICS TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH
About iNSIGHT
At iNSIGHT, we develop next-generation methods to deliver probiotics so they remain viable during storage, survive stomach acid, and reach the gut where they can actually work. Many promising probiotic strains are very sensitive to oxygen, moisture, heat, and strong stomach acid. That means a large fraction loses viability before reaching the intestine, reducing consistency and clinical impact.
We meet these challenges head-on with protective biomaterials, cutting-edge microfluidic on-chip testing, and smart, data-driven optimization. Our goal is to uncover the secrets behind stable, effective probiotic formulations, empowering us to craft delivery systems that are robust, reliable, and tailored for a wide range of probiotic strains.
Ensuring Probiotic Viability
The challenge:
Over the past decades, lifestyle and diet changes have disrupted our gut microbiota, contributing to a rise in non-communicable diseases and microbiome-related health conditions.
Probiotics are a promising way to support and restore a healthy gut microbiome. However, many next-generation strains are extremely sensitive to oxygen, moisture, heat, and gastric acid. This means that, in real life, only a small fraction of the ingested probiotics survive long enough to reach the intestine and exert their beneficial effects.
Our approach:
iNSIGHT tackles this challenge by developing precision probiotics: probiotic formulations that are protected, targeted, and tunable.
We design and test customisable microcapsules that:
- Shield sensitive probiotic strains from harsh environments
- Enable targeted post-stomach release
- Can be adapted to different strains and patient needs
To do this, we integrate bi-gel-based microencapsulation, microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices, and machine learning to understand, predict, and control how probiotics are released in the gastrointestinal tract.
Bi-gel Microencapsulation
Tunable microcapsules designed to protect sensitive probiotics while keeping release controllable after stomach passage.
Lab-on-a-chip Screening
Microfluidic tools to observe capsule breakdown and release kinetics under digestion-relevant conditions.
Reinforced machine learning
Scalable, precise and automated micro-encapsulation platform.
The iNSIGHT Objectives
iNSIGHT aims to create an integrated platform for the protection, delivery, and screening of sensitive probiotic strains. Our key objectives are:
Next-gen probiotics
Hands-on experience with the latest programming languages and technology.
Microencapsulation
Giving wings to the artists who’d like to take it up as a career or just a hobby.
Reinforced machine learning
The study of ancient and modern languages, philosophy, history, and more.
In vitro digestion and fermentation
The study that encourages scientific reasoning, discoveries and inventions.
Targeted release
Understanding the game of numbers and logic to solve real-world problems.
Patient cohort
Learning more modes of communication from different parts of the world.
Our consortium
A multidisciplinary European partnership advancing precision probitic delivery
Wageningen, The Netherlands
Coordinates the iNSIGHT project and contributes knowledge on state-of-the-art digestion models, microfluidics, encapsulation and probiotics.
Enschede, The Netherlands
Contributes with their expertise on in-air microfluidics and oleogel technologies and microencapsulation systems.
Herstal, Belgium
Expertise on plant-based ingredients modification and micronization technologies that comply with European food safety regulations.
Genoa, Italy
Expertise in computer vision and reinforcement learning for automated droplet recognition in lab-on-chip experiments.
Vilnius, Lithuania
Expertise on the selective laser etching (SLE) method and access to SLE equipment, which will be used to realize essential microfluidic device and multi-axial micronozzle components.
Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Expertise on novel probiotics, magistral legislation, and observational studies, as well as direct access to a large European network of general practitioners.